NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman — busted for allegedly choking and restraining busty MTV personality Tila Tequila — yesterday claimed the tiny starlet was drunk and that he was only trying to keep her from driving.

“We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety,” the grid star told FoxSports.com.

“I’m still glad I did what I did,” he added to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The San Diego Charger spent less than three hours in jail after Tila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, filed a complaint against him early Sunday after the two had partied hard at a local club.

TMZ.com reported Tila denied she was toasted, tweeting, “I am allergic to alcohol . . . That is how I got the name Tila ‘Tequila’ cuz the irony. I cant drink.’ ”